Sheet Metal Workers
Fabricate, assemble, install, and repair sheet metal products and equipment, such as ducts, control boxes, drainpipes, and furnace casings. Work may involve any of the following: setting up and operating fabricating machines to cut, bend, and straighten sheet metal; shaping metal over anvils, blocks, or forms using hammer; operating soldering and welding equipment to join sheet metal parts; or inspecting, assembling, and smoothing seams and joints of burred surfaces. Includes sheet metal duct installers who install prefabricated sheet metal ducts used for heating, air conditioning, or other purposes.
How AI Impacts Each Task
24 tasks analyzed
Convert blueprints into shop drawings to be followed in the construction or assembly of sheet metal products.
Determine project requirements, such as scope, assembly sequences, or required methods or materials, using blueprints, drawings, or written or verbal instructions.
Lay out, measure, and mark dimensions and reference lines on material, such as roofing panels, using calculators, scribes, dividers, squares, or rulers.
Fasten seams or joints together with welds, bolts, cement, rivets, solder, caulks, metal drive clips, or bonds to assemble components into products or to repair sheet metal items.
Develop or lay out patterns, using computerized metalworking equipment.
Trim, file, grind, deburr, buff, or smooth surfaces, seams, or joints of assembled parts, using hand tools or portable power tools.
Fabricate ducts for high efficiency heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to maximize efficiency of systems.
Select gauges or types of sheet metal or nonmetallic material, according to product specifications.
Maneuver completed roofing units into position for installation.
Finish parts, using hacksaws or hand, rotary, or squaring shears.
Shape metal material over anvils, blocks, or other forms, using hand tools.
Fabricate or alter parts at construction sites, using shears, hammers, punches, or drills.
Inspect individual parts, assemblies, or installations, using measuring instruments, such as calipers, scales, or micrometers.
Transport prefabricated parts to construction sites for assembly and installation.
Verify that heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are designed, installed, and calibrated in accordance with green certification standards, such as those of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).
Install assemblies, such as flashing, pipes, tubes, heating and air conditioning ducts, furnace casings, rain gutters, or downspouts in supportive frameworks.
Hire, train, or supervise new employees or apprentices.
Maintain equipment, making repairs or modifications when necessary.
Secure metal roof panels in place by interlocking and fastening grooved panel edges.
Perform building commissioning activities by completing mechanical inspections of a building's water, lighting, or heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
Fasten roof panel edges or machine-made moldings to structures by nailing or welding.
Perform sheet metal work necessary for solar panel installations.
Install green architectural sheet metal components, such as cool roofs or hot or cold walls.
Construct components for high-performance wind turbine systems.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Convert blueprints into shop drawings to be followed in the construction or assembly of sheet metal products. | 87Estimated | 84.0% | 5% | |
| Determine project requirements, such as scope, assembly sequences, or required methods or materials, using blueprints, drawings, or written or verbal instructions. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 5% | |
| Lay out, measure, and mark dimensions and reference lines on material, such as roofing panels, using calculators, scribes, dividers, squares, or rulers. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 5% | |
| Fasten seams or joints together with welds, bolts, cement, rivets, solder, caulks, metal drive clips, or bonds to assemble components into products or to repair sheet metal items. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 8% | |
| Develop or lay out patterns, using computerized metalworking equipment. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 4% | |
| Trim, file, grind, deburr, buff, or smooth surfaces, seams, or joints of assembled parts, using hand tools or portable power tools. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 5% | |
| Fabricate ducts for high efficiency heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to maximize efficiency of systems. | 15Estimated | 15.0% | 6% | |
| Select gauges or types of sheet metal or nonmetallic material, according to product specifications. | 90Estimated | 85.2% | 3% | |
| Maneuver completed roofing units into position for installation. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 4% | |
| Finish parts, using hacksaws or hand, rotary, or squaring shears. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 4% | |
| Shape metal material over anvils, blocks, or other forms, using hand tools. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 4% | |
| Fabricate or alter parts at construction sites, using shears, hammers, punches, or drills. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 6% | |
| Inspect individual parts, assemblies, or installations, using measuring instruments, such as calipers, scales, or micrometers. | 35.5Observed | 63.4% | 4% | |
| Transport prefabricated parts to construction sites for assembly and installation. | 45Estimated | 51.0% | 3% | |
| Verify that heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are designed, installed, and calibrated in accordance with green certification standards, such as those of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 2% | |
| Install assemblies, such as flashing, pipes, tubes, heating and air conditioning ducts, furnace casings, rain gutters, or downspouts in supportive frameworks. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 8% | |
| Hire, train, or supervise new employees or apprentices. | 10Estimated | 19.0% | 3% | |
| Maintain equipment, making repairs or modifications when necessary. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 3% | |
| Secure metal roof panels in place by interlocking and fastening grooved panel edges. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 4% | |
| Perform building commissioning activities by completing mechanical inspections of a building's water, lighting, or heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. | 40Estimated | 43.0% | 3% | |
| Fasten roof panel edges or machine-made moldings to structures by nailing or welding. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 4% | |
| Perform sheet metal work necessary for solar panel installations. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 3% | |
| Install green architectural sheet metal components, such as cool roofs or hot or cold walls. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 3% | |
| Construct components for high-performance wind turbine systems. | 15Estimated | 15.0% | 2% |
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Equipment Maintenance is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
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Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
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Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
Last scored March 14, 2026 · Based on BLS employment data and O*NET task analysis